“Then he asked them, ‘But who do you say I am?’ Matthew 16:15

Greetings Family,

So, Saturday, instead of going out to celebrate my birthday, my husband and I attended a Home Going celebration at our church of a very dear and well-loved man who served as our Deacon for 22 years. His wife had preceded him in death several years prior, and his children although saddened insisted that all the congregants wear bright and happy colors to celebrate and not mourn. I loved this sentiment. I listened to some of the friends and other relatives come up one by one and speak about the memories and his overall character. They shared how jovial and how upbeat a man he was, always telling jokes and putting a positive yet humorous spin on life’s circumstances.

As I was hearing the family and their words of endearment, I began to wonder about my own life. “What are people saying about me right now, and what will they say after I’m gone? As human beings we build a reputation for ourselves over a lifetime. Some people establish a reputation for being shrewd, harsh, some kind, or meek, others vicarious or free -spirited. Whatever reputation you’ve developed, it has become a part of you over a period of time. People have watched you, and saw how you carried yourself. They have watched how you engage with others, and how you communicate; even how you respond to individuals.

As a teacher, I am privy to different types of reputations based on how we interact with our students and their perceptions of us. Children are unique and special creatures. They are also visual. They believe what they see. Children will watch you intently and they pick up your spirit very quickly. In Matthew 16:15, when Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples what was his reputation there. “who do people say that the Son of Man is?” he asked them. The disciples replied to Jesus based on what others were saying, but he asked them “who do you say I am?” meaning what do you see for yourself? What kind of reputation do you believe I have?

People will always believe and depend on the reputation they hear from others. If you are a believer, you must learn to think for yourself based on your circumstances. Has Jesus been their late at night when you were sick, or in pain, or worried about your children? your job? how you were going to pay your bills? Will you represent the humility of God? the compassion of Jesus Christ? the faithfulness that comes from the Father? what have you decided your reputation is going to be? My kiddos watch me in the classroom everyday. They watch how I teach, how I hug another child, how I drink my tea, how I talk to others, even how I eat my lunch (Salads are always the subject of their curiosity). In all that I do, I must represent the love of God if I am his representative.

Let your reputation reflect your heart and the sacrifice Jesus has made for you; If you believe in his everlasting Love, let your reputation tell people who you are; “Who do you say I am?”

Be Blessed!!